Paul Jay, BS
Firm President / Landscape Architect
Paul brings a strong background in design, construction
administration, and leadership to his vision for The Jay Group.
Placing a high priority on quality and production as the firm grows,
Paul assumes responsibility for administrative overview of activities
within the office. His extensive knowledge of the region and its
various microclimates and geology, his long history working with
native plants, and twenty years of experience with construction
methods and materials are assets that benefit the firm and our clients. Since graduating from
Washington State University in 1985, Paul has worked on projects in Washington State, Oregon,
California, Alaska, Colorado, and Illinois. He has brought his expertise to the design of public
arboretums, parks, wildlife sanctuaries, schools, public housing, roof gardens, and residential
gardens ranging in size from less than half an acre to over ten acres. He has played a supervisory
role in the profession for the last fifteen years acting as project originator and primary coordinator
between disciplines. His ability to collaborate with clients, regulatory agencies, and stakeholders
has been at the foundation of the firm’s success.
Krystal Lowber, BLA
Landscape Designer
A lifelong resident of the Puget Sound region, Krystal has a wealth of practical experience to draw upon. Krystal is a graduate of the University of Washington’s Landscape Architectural program. She has worked on projects as varied as small residential gardens, public spaces, therapeutic gardens, community housing, and native habitat restoration. Among the recognition Krystal received while at the U.W. was the American Society of Landscape Architects Award of Honor for her substantial involvement in the design and construction of the Pete Gross House Rooftop Healing Garden in Seattle. This award demonstrates Krystal’s comfort level with the entire design process from the drawing board, to the computer, to construction during the installation phase. Her knowledge of landscape and building construction gives her a solid foundation for creative problem solving. At the Jay Group her broad understanding of computer software applications allows for the efficient communication of design ideas, in multiple formats, to consultants, stakeholders, and clients. Krystal is an integral part of many of the projects that pass through the department. Her broad range of valuable skills coupled with her gift for creative design, and communication abilities makes her a valuable member of the design team and an asset to the firm’s clients. When not at work, Krystal enjoys her time spent at the gym, working in her yard, and playing outdoors and on the water.
Kalleen Bensen, BLA
Landscape Designer
Before returning to the University of Washington for her degree in Landscape Architecture, Kalleen spent twenty years in the retail field. Upon graduating with honors in 1997, she has worked as a Landscape Designer & Project Manager for several Design/Build firms in the Seattle area, primarily focusing on the custom residential & commercial fields. Award winning, her portfolio contains a wide range of streetscape, multi-family housing, single family and private residential estate designs. Experienced in construction and all phases of landscape installation, Kalleen strives to deliver sound, yet innovative design solutions to each project. Focused on maximizing each projects potential, she incorporates art, structures and unique plants into the designs to enrich the story of the landscape. In her spare time, Kalleen enjoys tending to her gardens.
Kayla Lowber, BLA
Landscape Designer
A recent graduate of the University of Washington’s Landscape Architecture program and a 2007 American Society of Landscape Architects National Merit Award recipient, Kayla is a strong addition to the Jay Group. Kayla has worked on a large variety of projects including residential, community planning, and water front design. Kayla also was a student leader for the Seattle Open Space 2100 Charrette, which included over 300 community members and professionals. Kayla studied abroad in Italy where she gained knowledge of traditional Italian Architecture and Landscapes. During her final year at the University of Washington she contributed to the design and construction of White Center Heights Park in Seattle where she worked together with community members to develop a design that would serve the White Center neighborhood. Kayla has a solid skill set of graphics, communication, design, and a range of computer software applications that makes her an integral part of The Jay Group’s design team.
Ecology
Kevin Karlson, BS
Senior Wetland Ecologist / Certified Arborist
Kevin brings a diverse ecological background with a degree in Landscape Architecture from Washington State University and twelve years of experience managing all phases of plant production in large- scale commercial greenhouses, applying principles of soil chemistry and fertility, plant pathology, plant identification and integrated pest management. He then completed the Certificate Program in Wetland Science and Management at the University of Washington. Kevin is experienced in performing wetland and stream delineations, critical areas reports and mitigation, wildlife studies, and permit applications. He oversees the Ecology Department and assists clients with local, State and Federal land use and development permit application including SEPA checklists, HPA and JARPA applications, and implementation of mitigation plans, post-construction monitoring and evaluation of mitigation sites. Kevin is also a Certified Arborist through the International Society of Arboriculture. He conducts hazardous tree assessments for property owners and local jurisdictions, preparing tree retention plans in conjunction with the development process. He has completed continuing education coursework regarding Nationwide permits, methods for assessing wetland functions, and Endangered Species Act issues. Kevin spends his spare time gardening and riding motorcycles.
Kyle Legare, BS
Wetland Ecologist / Certified Arborist
Kyle has an educational background in aquatic and terrestrial ecology with a B.S. in Environmental Science from Western Washington University. His professional experience has focused on a range of ecological issues. He has performed a Marbled Murrelet habitat assessment survey, a bull trout spawning survey, collected endangered, threatened, and invasive plant data for the Natural Resource Inventory System, completed stream typing using the Rosgen Geomorphic Classification System, delineated numerous wetlands throughout the Puget Sound region, and is skilled at mitigation planning. Kyle’s calm communication style and strong organizational abilities augment his well developed skill set in the arena of environmental resource management. Along with his proficiency with all phases of critical area mapping, mitigation planning and monitoring, Kyle regularly performs arboreal surveying and impact assessment for the client base of the Jay Group. Kyle has a long history of volunteering, utilizing his skills and education for the benefit of his community. He has worked with the City of Bellingham Environmental Resources Dept., the Northwest Ecosystem Alliance, and volunteered his time at Skagit Valley College as a Field Assistant. Outside of his professional life, Kyle spends time outdoors hiking, and playing his guitar.
Jason Kapchinske, MS
Wetland Ecologist
Jason has a diverse educational and professional background in ecology. He received a BS degree in Biology from the University of Colorado and a MS degree in Environmental Science from Western Washington University. He also possesses a Professional Certificate in Wetland Delineation from Portland State University. Jason has worked for the Oregon Department of Transportation as a Wetland Ecologist and Permit Specialist. He also worked for several years as a Biologist for the City of San Diego’s Watershed Management Group. He is proficient carrying out wetland and stream delineations, writing critical areas reports, developing mitigation plans, assessing water quality, preparing and reviewing environmental assessment, and conducting biological surveys. In addition, Jason has published articles in major magazines, including SAIL and Paddler. He spends his free time playing with his two sons, reading, backpacking, skiing, and playing the fiddle.
Allison Warner , MS
Wetland Ecologist
Allison has over fourteen years professional experience in natural resources and native plants of the Pacific Northwest. She graduated in 1992 from UC Berkeley College of Forestry and Natural Resources with a Master’s of Science in forest ecology. She has a BS degree in soil science, also from UC Berkeley. She has worked extensively in wetland delineation and stream surveys; native plant surveys, revegetation and propagation; and fish habitat improvement projects. She worked as a soil scientist and watershed specialist for the US Forest Service in Skykomish, Washington for six years. Her experience with the Forest Service includes all phases of project development from project design to implementation and contract supervision. She has performed engineering road surveys and worked with heavy equipment contractors on road decommissioning projects, inspected culvert, bridge and stream restoration projects, and designed and managed revegetation contracts. Allison has extensive training in fish-habitat requirements, hydric soils, and wetland delineation, and native plant revegetation. Allison is able to bring her broad field experience to assist in workable project designs that meet the client’s needs, as well as regulatory requirements. Allison has in-depth knowledge of federal, state and local jurisdictional requirements, and is familiar with all aspects of County permitting requirements. Allison performs wetland delineation, critical area studies and monitoring for the Jay Group, as well as develops mitigation plans. She spends her spare time gardening, hiking and babysitting her one-year-old grandson.
